Harvey Milk park groundbreaking today in Long Beach

In this file photo from April 1977, San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, left, and Mayor George Moscone are shown in the mayor's office during the signing of the city's gay rights bill. AP

LONG BEACH – A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Tuesday for Harvey Milk Promenade Park, billed by Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster as the nation's first park to be named for the slain pioneering gay leader.

The groundbreaking at Third Street and The Promenade coincides with the 82nd anniversary of Milk's birth and the day honoring him statewide.

The park site will include new landscaping, seating, lighting, enhanced paving and public art, including a replica of Milk's famous soapbox, and an area dedicated to honoring Long Beach area lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders.

The project is part of the final phase of the Promenade Master Plan estimated to be completed by the end of the year.

"Harvey Milk was a trailblazer for the LGBT community who battled against discrimination and unbelievable odds," Foster said. "I'm proud Long Beach is the first city in the country to honor Harvey Milk by dedicating a park in his name."

Born May 22, 1930, in Woodmere, N.Y., Milk became the first gay elected official in California when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was assassinated in 1978.

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